I would love to read some history behind what makes that map what it is. For example, why such an huge number of "soda" drinkers in the St Louis and significant surrounding area? I assume there's a correlation somehow to the Mississippi River. Also, Wisconsin. There could almost be a border war there.

aMm like this interests me.

Just pure speculation here, but I'm guessing it has something to do with people from the northeast migrating to these areas for one reason or another. St. Louis was the gateway to the west so maybe a lot of folks from the northeast settled there. The phrase is also prevalent in California which is where the people going through St. Louis were headed or ended up. Also, South Florida is a favorite relocation spot for New Englanders so it would explain why they say soda down there unlike the rest of the state. As far as Wisconsin goes, the only guess I have is that it is on the Great Lakes so maybe it is a popular port for folks from the northeast to travel to or move to for whatever reason.

Again, this is all just half-assed speculation especially the Milwaukee stuff. And yes I would like to second the "aMm like this interests me" statement.

Over in NE Ark. the term "sody" or "sody pop" is used frequently among the trailer park/redneck population. All the more reason I am glad to be FROM there.

I used to hear real old farts say 'sody water' once in a blue moon, but everyone under the age of 800 used coke. Some people would go to the store and get a case of cokes, as per my Grandmother, and never actually drink Coca-Cola.

Over in NE Ark. the term "sody" or "sody pop" is used frequently among the trailer park/redneck population. All the more reason I am glad to be FROM there.

Livin over here in NEA I hear sody pop a lot from the folks who've grown up here and never moved. I also hear "Sant Louis", "PocaHUNTas" and "Cape Giwadah" (I think of Danny Nutt every time I hear it).

North of 44? I've heard PLENTY of patients from the bootheel and SW MO use "Missour-ah." As best I can tell, it's a rural/urban thing. Folks from STL, KC, and to a lesser extent Columbia & Springfield use "Missour-ee." Everybody else does it the other way. aMm, I've even heard folks from southern IL use it.

I used to hear real old farts say 'sody water' once in a blue moon, but everyone under the age of 800 used coke. Some people would go to the store and get a case of cokes, as per my Grandmother, and never actually drink Coca-Cola.

I've heard sody water from some of my dad's people. And, 'belly washer (pronounced: belly warsher)' from some of them as well.

When I was a little fart, I'd go to Central lanes in Hot Springs with my dad on the Tuesday night Sundowners League and order a Orange Coke. No question was asked. I got a Fanta Orange. Sometimes I ordered a Grape Coke and got a Nugrape. Errbody that doesn't unnerstand this can go fuck themselves.